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A Finger Game

Song type: Active, Finger play
Language: Scots
Age group: 0-2, 3-5

How to use this song with babies

Cuddle up with your baby, and simply say the rhyme. Babies love hearing your voice, so say this rhyme a few times. If baby is on your lap, you can do simple counting actions with one hand – baby might even reach for your fingers. Wiggle your fingers at the end and give baby a nice gentle tickle!

How to use this song with toddlers

This is a humorous finger play song for toddlers and an animated voice will bring it to life! Say the rhyme slowly to give toddlers a chance to copy the finger play and to have a go at saying each number, if they choose to. Repeat, repeat, repeat!

How to use this song with 3-5 year olds

Bairns will enjoy joining in with actions and sounds for this rhyme, as well as the finger play for numbers. Try 'vroom vroom' for motorbike and chirps for the birdies. Bairns might like to mime throwing the ball, eating lunch, being grumpy or sleeping. This brings in lots of movement and imaginative play which this age group love.

A Finger Game lyrics

Five wee birdies sittin on a dyke.

Ane gaed to Penicuik to buy a motor bike.

Fower wee birdies sittin in a raw.

Ane flew to Jeddart Toun to see the Hand-baa.

Three wee birdies sittin in a line.

Twa sat on and ane gaed to dine.

Twa wee birdies sittin on a stane.

Ane took the huff and then there was ane.

Ae wee birdie sittin aa his lane.

Gangs awa at bedtime and noo there are nane.

From Bairn Rhymes by J K Annand. Shared with permission from the Dictionaries of Scots Language.

Funded by Scottish Government's Gaelic and Scots Learning Directorate.